Liquid-level gauge for liquid containers



June 15 1926. 1,589,269

6-. VAN DAAM LIQUID LEVEL GAUGE FOR LIQUID CONTAINERS Filed April 25, 1924 1?\ :0 0 a Fnq- 4. Fuqfa.

lNVENTOR GERRIT VAN QA ATTORNEYS June 15,

UNl'i'Ei S'YATES VAN DAAlJI, C-F B'UFFALQ, HEVI YORK.

LEQ JID-LEVEL G-AUQE 1 GB :JI 'UID CONTAINERS.

lily invention relates improvements in liquid level gauges for liquid containers, and the object of the invention is to construct a float actuated gauge, which will be particularly applicaole to automobile lene tanks, and a further object is to con struct a device, which can be readily applied to any standard tank without the necessity of making alterations in the same.

A still further object is to devise inca whereby the gauge can be locked in the inoperative position.

My invention consists of a gauge constructed and arranged all as hereinafter more particularly described and illustrated in the accompanying drawing in which:

Fi 1 is an elevational view partly in section of my device, showing it positioned in an automobile tank, portion of tank and a sectional view through the filling orifice and cap being shown.

Fig. 2 is a similar view to Fig. 1 showing gauge in tl e operative position.

Jig. 3 is a plan view of the filling cap, orifice and portion of the tank, my device being shown inserted into the filling orifice.

Fig. 1- is an enlarged detail of the upper end of the gauge, and the tubular housing therefor, the g2 being; shown in full lines in the inoperative position and in clotted lines in the operative position, and

Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail of the lower end of the gauge showing the float secured thereto.

Like characters of reference indicate the corresponding parts in the diflerent views.

1 is the gasolene tank, provided with the filling orifice 2 having; the usual internally threaded neclemember 3 secured therein, such threaded neck member being normally adapted to receive the filler cap.

In my device l is a bushing threaded upon its exterior face and adapted to be threaded into the neck member 5 is a filler cap swingably mounted upon the upper face of the bushing 4, by means of the headed stud 6. which is threaded thereinto, and 7 is a clip spring secured upon the out-er face of the bushing 1 and adapted to engage the cap 5 and secure it in the closed position.

8 is a recess in the inner face of the hushing 41, extending downwardly from its upper or exposed face to a point intermediately of the depth of the bushing.

9 is a length of flattened or oval its upper end extending tit cured in, an orifice 10 in the lower face of the bushing 1, such orifice 10 communicating with the lower face of the recess 8, the top of the tubing 9 being flush therewith, and 11 is a long longitudinally extending slot in the tube 9.

12 is a gauge member slidably mounted the tubing 5), its lower end being reduced d. bent outwardly so as to pass freely .irough the slot 11. 13 is a float suitably cured upon the outer end of such reduced e tion. The upper end of the gauge 12 is provided with a notch 14, to e1 g, cross piece 143 which is on one side or" the upper. end of e tube. 18 is an outwardly extending leaf secured to the gauge member 12 11'] e vicinity of its upper end, being oppopositioned to the notch 1%, such spring mg adapted to the inner face of ie tube 9, so as to bring the notch 14 into agement with the cross piece 15, and 1'? an outwardly extending linger provided upon the inner face of the gauge member 12, in the vicinity of its upper end.

in applying my device to an automobile tank it is merely necessary to unscrew the filler cap, inserting my device in lieu thereof, the bushing 1 takingthe place of the filler c p, the internal diameter of the bushb 7 of SllfiClQIlt size to permit the fillse nozzle to be inserted in the usual lV hen the tank is filled, the float l submerged, as an upward movent of the gauge member 12 is prevented by tl e ment of the notch 14: with the cross piece 15, under the influence of the spring 16.

Upon desiring to ascertain the amount of arolene in the tank it is merely necessary to pen the cap 5 and move the top of the gauge member 12 to one side by means of the finger 1?, whereby the notch 14lwill be disenqaged from the cross piece 15, thus permitting; the gauge member 12 to rise under the influence of the float 13, such gauge member being); suitably graduated to show the q .antity of gasolene in the tank.

Upon chisiring to restore the gauge to its original or inoperative position, it is merely necessary to push it downwardly until the notch 1 lcomes into engagement with the cross piece 15, under the influence of the spring 16. The cap 5 is then swung into the closed position.

IO (DUO on it will be seen that I have devised a simple and effective liquid level gauge which can be quickly and readily applied to any standard automobile tank, Without necessity of making any alterations, and also I have devised means whereby the gauge can be secured in theinoperative position, thus preventing any damage to the gauge member or float Whilst the tank is being filled.

l/Vhat I claim as my invention is:

1. A liquid level gauge comprising, in combination with a tank having an orifice therein, a bushing secured in said orifice, an'upper open ended tube extending down- Wardly from the bushing, a notched float actuated' gauge member slidable in the tube, a

cross piece positioned upon one side of the upper open end of the tube, and resilient m'ea ns ifor' bringing the notch in the gauge member into engagement With the cross piece. on' the tube.

2. A liquid level gauge, comprising a bushing, a guide tube depending from the bushing, a gauge member movable therein and provided with a notch in its upper end to form a shoulder, a cross piece partially closing the upper end of the tube at one side and adapted to hold the gauge member depressed throughits engagement with the shoulder, a flat spring for holding the shoulder and cross piece in engagement, one end of said spring being secured to the gauge member opposite the notch portion and having its other end disposed to bear against the said tube for exerting a pressure on the gauge member in order to hold the aforesaid shoulder in co-operative relation to the cross piece and a float connected to the gauge member for raising it whenthe shoulder is disengaged from said cross piece GERRIT VAN DAAM. 

